Electric lighter



Aug. 28, 17934. E. M. soRENG ELECTRIC LIGHTER Filed Feb. 2l. 1931 e sfr-A TES " ELECTRIC LIGHTER v -Edgar'M. Sorcng, Chicago, Ill., assigner ol' onehalf to Vidrio Products Corporation, Chicago,

Y, Ill., a corporationfof Illinois, and one-half toV Soreng-Manegold Co., Chicago,`lll., a corporation of Illinois Application `February 21, 1931, Serial No. 517,423 Y 2 claims; (C1. 21e-s2) lThis invention relates in general to electric heating units: vand vwhile the invention will hereinafter be describedas embodied in an automatic, gravity .operated,cigar and cigarette lighter, it

v will bereadily manifest that in its entirety and in its severalr features it is capable of advantageous use 'in other devices.

A principalobjectof the presentinvention is the provision of an automatic, gravity controlled, electric heating unit of simple, economical construction, and of certain quick operation upon `inversion vof the unit. The invention contemplates the provision of a unit of the above described character consisting-of few and simple parts andrequiring minimum material in their manufacture.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a unit of the character described, the parts of which will be so constructed and arranged as to prevent possibility of the parts jamming or becoming wedged or held against instant movement upon manipulation of the unit 4either from its normal inoperative arrangement to one supplying current to the heating coil or yice Versa. p

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as` it is better understood from the following description, which, taken `in connection with the accompanyingV drawing,

discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a cigar or cigarette lighter in which the present invention is embodied, showing the parts in the position they normally assume when the lighter is placed on ardesk, table or other support;

liig.y 2' is a similar view, showing the lighter inverted for use;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the lighter as viewed in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, showing the spring means for securing of the heat unit in the body of the cigar or cigarette lighter.

For the purpose ci illustrating the present invention, a cigarette lighter is shown on the draw- Aing, which .comprises a body 11 in which is mounted a unit 12 made in accordance with the present invention. The body is preferably of glass or other non-conducting material, and is generally of spherical shape and is provided with three supporting legs 13. A main central recess 14 is provided opening in the bottom of the lighter and between the legs 13. A side recess 1,5 is arranged in communication with the main recess 14 to accommodate an electric conductor or cord 16 containing two line wires 1'7 appropriately connected to a wall plug 18. The heating unity comprises a porcelain or other non-conducting electric body, indicated by reference character 12, and this body is grooved to receive a resistance or heating coil 19 connected at one end to a post orl bolt 21 at the center of the unitand at the other Aend to a terminal 22 arranged through an edge portion of the body and electrically connected at 23 to one of the wires 17. The usual cap 24 and perforated mica disk 25 are provided over the coil. The post or bolt`A 21 extends through the body and through a leaf fastening spring 26 into electrical engagement with a sheet metal cap 27 closed at its base and held to the body by a nut 28 threaded over the end of the bolt 21. The open end of the cup is closed by a fibre disk 29, lugs 3l being arranged through the disk and bent to clinching position as shown.

A metal contact or rivet 32 is provided centrally through the disk and the second wire 17 is connected to this contact on the outer face of the disk. A ball of metal 33 is arranged within the cup and is of diameter su'icient to cause it to engage in point contact both with the contact 32 and the side wall of the cup when the unit is inverted into the circuit closing position shown in Fig. 2.

The spring 26 is preferably of at steel adapted to be wedged into the opening 14 by merely bushing the lighter hole to finally and permanently assemble the unit in the body 11.

' The structure is simple and consists of a minimum number of parts, easily manufacturedand assembled-and it will be apparent that inversion of the lighter causes the ball to move into or out ofr circuit closing contact instantly and without possibility of wedging or sticking.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that many changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the 'spirit `and scope of the invention or sacricing all vof its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim: Y

1. A lighting device of the character described including a-body of insulating material of general spherical shape having a substantially cylindrical recess at the bottom thereof, a refractory element of substantially circular cross-section having a diameter substantially the same'as the cylindrical recess, a resistance element carried on the lower side of the refractory element, having its ends secured by fastening members extending through the refractory element, a metal cup supported on the refractory element in electrical contact with one of the fastening members, an insulating disc closing the cup, a contact point in the center of the disc within the cup, a metal ball within the cup having a diameter not substantially greater than half thediameter of the cup, and a cord including a pair of conductors,

one connected to said contact point and the other to the second fastening member.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, including a fiat comparatively narrow spring secured 

